Here you'll see that the website advises a train to near Vientiane. Elsewhere on Travelfish, contributors are saying that the link between Nong Khai is not yet operational. On that I don't personally know.

Anyway, it's the same train (#69) that goes through as goes to Nong Khai. So if you can't get a ticket to Thanaleng (Laos), at least you can get to Nong Khai.

The #69 departs at 20:00 (I don't know if the train number is symbolic).

Whichever, you'll arrive in Vientiane in the middle of the day.

As you see on Travelfish (if you look) I really like Laos. The people are 'relaxed', its not too overwhelming with touts, etc., etc.. Nevertheless, I'm wondering why people would spend so much effort to go just tubing. There's many vids of people rafting in VV on the web. Have a look and see if that is really sufficient fun to warrant so much time in travel for an hour or so of 'fun'. Personally, because bus travel in Laos is so tedious, and because the hour or so of tubing is such fun, the contrast probably heightens the 'experience'.

Just double check that the river will be OK for rafting. This is the wet season, so the river may be declared too high for such activities. I'm just suggesting you check that out as a safety measure - I don't know.

Anyway, it's your call.

ps. the train to Cambodia leaves at 5am.

Cheers

#4BruceMoon has been a member since 27/12/2008. Location: Australia. Posts: 1,941

Posted by hallf_brick on 17/6/2009 at 08:08

Cheers for the advice BruceMoon.

One of the reasons we're starting to hesitate about heading to Laos was (as you say) it kinda felt like we might be going all that way just for a day of floating down a river.

But I've been reading up on Vientiane with it's laid back vibe, beautiful sunsets, Beer Lao, cruising round on rented bikes and french food and it all sounds pretty good.

From what you've said Laos sounds really nice, and it seems to fit our itinerary pretty well. So if you think we won't be disappointed with a couple of days in Vientiane and a couple in Vang Vieng, we'll probably just stick to the rough plan of heading up there. But we're not tied down to anything really at the moment, so we can always change our mind once we get over there. Best way to be!

I've just got that pre-trip excitement/killing time while at work thing going on. Over-researching everything to the max, cos I'm so goddamn excited :)

The road trip from VV to Luang Prabang is great. Not as good from Vientiane to VV. But, the scenery at VV will be sufficient.

If you've got a week, from BKK, then day 1 to Vientiane, day 2 to VV (I'm told the first bus leaves about 5am, then about 7am). That would allow a half day (on arrival) and 2 whole days in VV, then return to Vientiane to cruise till back to BKK.

Also, if you are departing the international terminal of BKK, you could investigate taking a flight from Vientiane (or even Luang Prabang) to BKK and be there some hours before the big outwards one.

Cheers

#6BruceMoon has been a member since 27/12/2008. Location: Australia. Posts: 1,941

Posted by hallf_brick on 17/6/2009 at 09:53

Sounds like a pretty good plan!

Cheers for your help BruceMoon. Can't wait for some sticky rice and beer Lao!

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